Hair-retainer.



"No. 7l7,499. Patented Dec. 30, I902 M. A. GOUY.

HAIR RETAINER. I

(Application filed Fab. 15, 1902.

, no Mddel.)

I 7 I MTTOHNEYI UNIT D STATES,

ATENT FFICE.

MARIUS A. GOUY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

HAIR-RETAIN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 717,499, dated December 30, 1902. Application filed February 15,1902. Serial No. 94,180. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARIUS A. GoUY, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hair-Retainers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hair-retainers, and has for its object to provide an improved device of this class which will be particularly serviceable in maintaining girls and womens hair in proper form and arrangement when the same is braided or otherwise dressed, which will be simple and inexpensive in construction, positive in operation, and generally superior in point of convenience and serviceability.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a female figure, illustrating my improved hair-retainer in use. Fig. 2 is an enlarged edge view of the improved device with the members in extended position. Fig. 3 is a similar inner face view. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the members in closed or operative relation. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the same, taken upon the line 00 to, Fig. 4.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same reference characters.

Referring with particularity to the drawings, 1 designates my improved hair-retainer, which embodies two loosely-connected members 2 and 3, respectively, which in using the device are clamped around the hair and retain the same in position or dressed condition. The members 2 and 3 are preferably pivotally connected, as at 4, at an end of each, and means 5 are provided at the opposite ends of said members 2 and 3 for clamping the same in operative position. Each of the members 2 and 3 embodies a plurality of serrations 6, which are so arranged as to engage the hair in spaced lines at opposite sides of the same when the members 2 and 3 are in clamping position, and thus firmly bind the hair against displacement or loosening.

In the preferred form of construction each of the members 2 and 3 is formed of a single metal blank 7 and 8, respectively, which blanks are formed at an end of each into arranged for engagement with the outer end of the other member, as 4. In stamping or forming each of the members 2 and 3 from its respective blank 7 or 8 the same is preferably given a longitudinal curvature,whereby when the members 2 and 3 are brought together into operative relation the same present an oppositely-bowed appearance and are thus enabled to accommodate between themselves a considerable quantity of hair. The series of serrations 6 of each of the members 2 and 3 is formed by suitably stamping or cutting the respective blank 7 or 8 and forming a row of the serrations 6. The metal forming each row is then bent inwardly at right angles, with the inner face of the respective blank in the position shown in the drawings. The serrations 6 may be of any preferred form and number, according to the class of work to be performed. To obtain the staggered or non-coinciding relation of the two series of serrations 6 in the two members 2 and 3, as above set forth, said series of serrations are formed at opposite sides of the central longitudinal plane of the two members 2 and 3.

The formation of the series of serrations 6 in each of the members 2 and 3 forms an opening 12 in the respective blank 7 or 8 at one side of the respective series of serrations, and at the opposite side of the latter is formed another opening 13, said openings 12 and 13 in each of the blanks 7 and 8 being separated by a longitudinal web 14, which carries the respective series of serrations 6. In forming the two series of serrations 6 and the webs 14, above referred to, the latter are bent inwardly at their ends, as at 15, to project said webs 14 slightly inwardly of the inner faces of the blanks 7 and 8, respectively. This formation of the blanks 7 and .8 permits the easy insertion of ribbons or other decorative devices through the openings 12 and 13 and rearwardly of the webs 14 in any desired arrangement, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 4:, the use of such ribbons or allied devices serving to obscure and cover the hair-retainer in use and present a more decorative and neat appearance of the dressed hair.

The operation and advantages of my improved hair-retainer will be readily understood.

The device in its preferred use is employed as an end piece or fastening for braided hair, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the end of the braid being prevented from loosening and undoing by the improved retainer, which is securely clamped about the same. The series of serrations 6 effectively enter between the strands of hair and lock the same in position, thus efficiently preventing the hair ends from unraveling. The hair being clamped at opposite and non-coinciding points by means of the series of serrations 6, it is the more effectually clamped and bound in dressed condition. The opposite curvature of the two members 2and3 provides space for the accommodation of a considerable quantity of hair,

which is snugly and firmly retained between the members.

The device may be rendered more decorative by the use of ribbons or similar decorations, which may be threaded through the openings 12 and 13, in the blanks of which the members 2 and 3 are formed, the formation of the members in this respect permitting the device to also serve as a fastening for ribbons and similar decorations.

The entire device is very simple and inexpensive in construction and positive in operation and may be manufactured in a wide variety of forms and varieties with or without decorative elements.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent An improved hair-retainer, comprising two pivotally-connected oppositely-bowed members, and means for clamping said members around the hair; each of said members consisting of a single metal blank which is formed at one end into a hinge member and is formed intermediate of its ends into a longitudinal series of inwardly-projecting serrations and a longitudinal web from which said serrations project, said blank being provided with openings at opposite sides of said web, and said web being bent into a position wherein it extends inwardly of the inner face of said blank; and said series of serrations in the two members being arranged out of coincidence whereby the hair clamped between said members is positively and tortuously engaged; the relative arrangement and construction of parts being such that a ribbon or other decorative device may be readily threaded through either of said members exteriorly of the respective longitudinal Web and interiorly of the remaining portions of the respective blank, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in the presence of the subscribing Witnesses.

MARIUS A. GOUY. Witnesses:

RAYMOND I. BLAKESLEE, M. LAMMER. 

